This week I had the opportunity to ask two phenomenal kindergarten teachers how they, as teachers, help their students celebrate and learn from the cultural similarities and differences within their classroom communities.  They shared many wonderful literacy resources and activities they have done with their students.  They always begin with connecting with each other first in the classroom… where the child is at the moment…and then, through looking at maps, where they are in the town(s) and community in which they live. Traditions, favorite foods, hobbies, and many stories are shared within the classroom.  You can well imagine!  We are talking about five year olds!  At conferences or during back to school nights, parents are invited to visit the classroom to share something that is special about their family…

All of these strategies are ones we have encouraged as teachers.  However, what these teachers said at the end stood out to me.  We, as educators, need to continually model that acceptance and respect as we celebrate all of the similarities and differences within our classroom communities.  The final agreement in the kindergarten class was that they decided they wanted everyone to treat them with kindness. So, shouldn’t we do that for everybody else?

As we continue celebrating those aspects of our own cultural identities that are similar or different from others in our classrooms or in our connections with anyone …it always seems to come back to treating each other with kindness….

I stopped writing notes at the meeting…. so thankful that there are such wonderful, wise and caring adults at the helm.  Thank you, all of you, who model more than tolerance…. We need to be kind to each other! Celebrate and learn from all..

Jan

Untying the “Nots” of Bullying Prevention

This is the title of a wonderful article in Principal Magazine by Jim Dillon that I highly recommend. Here is a quote that is the heart of what you will find in the link I am including.

“Just telling bystanders to ‘stand up’ to bullying makes little sense, no more sense than just telling a student  to be a good reader or become a safe driver without first providing instruction, guidance, coaching, and support.”

Here’s another awesome thought by Jim Dillon.

“Students who make mistakes need compassion and will accept guidance and direction when given respect and care. Students who bully aren’t bad kids or inherent troublemakers- some just need to learn how not to bully others.” 

A must read…..

Jan
“Untying the ‘Nots’ of Bullying Prevention” by Jim Dillon in Principal Magazine, January/February 2014 (Vol. 93, #3, p. 36-39), www.naesp.org

Yesterday, life showed me two wonderful sides of how awesome teaching and learning are. It reminded me of a song from my high school days….”Both Sides Now” by Judy Collins. Don’t worry, I won’t sing the verse of one of my favorite songs.  In the morning, I met with my daughter, who is an enthusiastic first year high school English teacher. She was in the middle of grading her 9th grade mid-term exams.  She shared in great detail the reasoning behind each carefully and thoughtfully constructed question…including some in-depth essay questions that allowed for her students to reflect on the material assigned since September in meaningful and creative ways. She shared her hopes and concerns for each of her students, both academically and emotionally.  Her passion for the students outweighed the content.  I was listening to what she was saying…no so much about the rubric used or the final grade affixed to the top.  I heard her rooting for her kids…relieved when they had learned the material…and challenging her own teaching strategies as she saw ways in which she might improve her instruction.  The students were front and center…and it amazed me that she “knew” their personal stories in such a short few months.    They may have studied “memoirs”…..but she had asked them to then reflect and write their own.  Their personal stories and poems filled the classroom.  Trust between BOTH Sides is forming….How rewarding for me to have been the captive person at the table.

At noon, I had the opportunity to meet for lunch with a 9th grade student- she had the day off because she had just completed her very first mid-term exams in another school district.  I heard what it felt like…how her English mid-term was constructed, strategies she had used in her preparation for the exam  and how she thought she had done on it.  Following that, she told me it really didn’t matter that much…she had done her very best.  She was prepared and had worked as hard as she thought she could have.  Also, she just loves her English teacher.

“Why?” I asked….

“Because she makes it so much fun and has us read materials that I would never choose.  I just love going into that room every day.  She always has something going on!”

So, the important take-away for me? What matters most is that teachers continue to trust that when they make it their mission connect with each student every day…it is amazing how Both Sides will grow in their personal learning and trust of others within the community. What a day…..

Jan

What a great time I had today in a fourth grade classroom.  The Classroom Book Club was introduced and the students enthusiastically shared some of the books they are reading independently.  It dawned on me that sometimes what we, the teachers, need to remember is that all we that we need to do is set up a structure with our students…..establish a safe community for them to take risks in….and then get out of the way!  Today it was “less talk from the adults….and more from the kids” when it comes to sharing  books they love.  Such a simple “aha”…..but one I am beginning to think we overlook so quickly when time is at a premium in the classroom.  Let our students have more “air time”….and support them in their excitement in reading what they want to. It was wonderful to be with them today….

Jan

It is true, Bill and I love being a part of a community that brings so much passion for their students.  Thank you all for your suggestions and ideas that will add to building a community of caring learners and adults  in our classrooms.  We are looking for ways to make our course interactive, so please forward any new books or media sources to us so that we can share.  There are some new great titles that I have seen over the summer.

Also…..I am so thankful for the teachers who have included me in their classrooms this fall.  It is hard and wonderful work that you all do….We are hoping that this class is an opportunity to rest, refresh and encourage you!

We look forward to our next class….it’s always so much fun for us…thank you all!

Jan

I couldn’t resist posting this link! Our favorite, Wonder, is on the list!
Bill and I continue to LOVE the energy and passion the Lexington teachers give to the Allies, Achievers an Risk Takers course each week. We can only imagine the magic they weave among their students!!! Our last class is next Wednesday…but the connections will continue….
Thank you, Lexington !!!!
Jan

What We’re Reading

Number 43: Spring 2013 [1]
11 January 2013
The latest in culturally aware literature and resources for teachers of all grades

The Teaching Tolerance staff reviews the latest in culturally aware literature and resources, offering the best picks for professional development and teachers of all grades.

In light of the spring testing that is going on…this seemed like good timing for me to read Bully, Patricia Polacco’s latest book.  It is one of the first picture books that deals with cyberbullying…and highlights the role of being an ally….in only the way this author can.  It is a natural for anyone who loved Thank You, Mr. Falker!  Let us know your thoughts!

Janis

Book Description

We are looking for some titles of books that you have used in classrooms that have to do with the topics in the Allies, Achievers and Risk Takers class. When you submit a title, please give the author’s name and grade levels you think it would be good for.  This way, we will begin to build an on-going resource list for us to use as we connect with our students. Thank you!

         The Warmth of Other Suns